TAP

The Issue:
About three weeks ago I started up my 8 and I was getting rough idle, low power and a flashing CEL.

The Car:
She's a 2005 GS with around 80,000km (50,000 miles for the yankees). I was kind of expecting I might run into this problem as the guy that had it before me babied the hell out of it and didn't do the required weekly redline to clear out the carbon buildup. I was watching it carefully and eased into hard driving but I'm pretty sure it was inevitable.

As soon as I had the rough idle issue I immediately garaged it and didn't do any driving until I resolved the issue. I checked around the forum and I was pretty sure I was having the classic clogged cat & dead ignition combo that most 8's seem to experience at some point. From what I understand, the coils are weak and prone to failure. As rotaries run super rich, the weak spark leads to clogging in the CAT, rough idle and a flashing CEL.

The Solution:
I checked out the coils and they looked like they were the originals. At 80,000km, I was pretty much 100% sure they needed to be replaced. Seemed like if I was going to do the job, might as well do it right and go with the BHR ignition kit. I ordered it online (with plugs) and it was delivered to place in Toronto in around 2 weeks. As for the CAT, I found a straight pipe on Kijiji in my area. Picked that up for $50.

Putting the BHR kit in was a breeze. It's a super solid piece of gear and I was able to install it in my parking garage in about an hour and a half. The CAT on the other hand was pretty much fused in place. Worked at it for an an hour and a half, mangling my hands and breaking a few tools while only getting 1 of the 5 bolts off. Figured there was no point wrestling with it further until I had a torch and some better tools.

The Result:
Once I'd replaced the bolt I managed to get off, I tried starting the car to see if I'd put the BHR kit in properly. To my surprise, she was running like a dream. The idle is now smoother than ever, there's no more flashing CEL and the throttle response is just buttery.

I'm still going to put the straight pipe in for the sound, performance, and just to be sure I'm not still suffering from a clogged CAT. Now though I'll be able to get the car to my cottage, where I'll have more space to work on it and my more serious tools.

Overall though, I have to give thanks to the forum for guiding me to this solution and Charles at BHR for the awesome kit. Couldn't be more satisfied.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Awesome. I love seeing new member stories that follow the "i had a problem -> i immediately stopped driving it -> i searched for some information -> i fixed the issue myself -> posting my success" .

We are all guilty of signing up on a forum somewhere at some time when we have an issue ... its good to see the guy come out of the woodwork every once in a while who registered to share his success.

TAP

Thanks paimon,

This forum has been extremely helpful though shopping for my 8 and learning how to keep it healthy. There are tons of knowledgeable guys on here who are super helpful for newbs like me.

I'll keep posting as future projects develop.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

+1

Gratz on the diagnosis and fix

Thanks for not being more like:
"i had a problem -> i ignored it -> i finally broke down -> i came to complain about it -> i reject all advice"
(which is the worse we have to deal with)

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Nice work.

bse50

If all the new memebers were like you this place would be awesome.

TAP

Drove the car out to my parents' place last weekend with plans to take another go at putting in the mid-pipe. The car was running great and I started to wonder if I really needed to replace the CAT at all. On my way I got a flashing CEL. Looked under the car when I stopped and the CAT was glowing orange. Figured that was a solid indication that cat needed to come out.

With some better tools and a better workspace I was able to loosen the nuts and get the old CAT off. Painted up the new mid-pipe and got new hardware for it. I picked up the midpipe used off Kijiji. It's basically an OEM mid-pipe with the CAT replaced with a section of pipe. Pretty sure it's going to be loud as hell, but we'll see.

The gasket that connects the mid-pipe to the muffler was pretty much fused with the old CAT, so I ordered a new one. Should be in soon and then I just need to do the install. I'll update when the new pipe is installed.

bb6guy

+1 for BHR. please keep us updated how loud it will be with that straight pipe in place of the CAT

TAP

I installed the midpipe this afternoon and took it out for its first cat free drive. It's honestly not much louder than it was before. Definitely a little more growl, but I doubt my wife will even notice (which is a good thing). The exhaust paint on the midpipe stank pretty bad for the first little while. Once that wore off though, the change in exhaust scent that everybody talks about was barely noticeable. No engine light either.

The engine is noticeably more responsive and seems to pull a bit harder. No way to tell it's the midpipe, the BHR kit or just taking out the toasted coils and clogged cat.

Either way, the BHR coils and straight pipe has fixed my issue and made my renny very happy. Looking forward to getting back to driving this beautiful machine. Thanks for all the help.

TAP

Another final update:

So the CEL came on yesterday and the exhaust definitely stinks. That paint smell I thought was the exhaust paint is just the uncatalyzed exhaust gases. I'm still happy to have a running car and the straight-pipe will be good for the track, but I'm not sure I'm totally happy with the way the smell lingered on my clothes. My wife didn't notice when she was in the car, but smelled it on me and asked if I had been smoking.

I've been following the Modified Magazine RX8 project and in it they talked about a high flow cat from Milltek. They didn't mention the part number though. Anybody know which part they were using? Any other high flow cat recommendations? Or should I just tough it out and keep a bottle of Febreeze in the glove box?

As for the CEL, a local member, thewird, said he could tune the engine and get rid of the CEL. I've read in a few places that a good tune can cut down the stink by leaning out the idle. Is that true?

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

It's really up to individual car.....
I had a straight pipe for about 2 weeks, but can take the smell, so I put in a 200cpi cat to reduce the smell.
Never had a CEL, but some ppl get CEL once they take off the cat.
Tune, will help, but it'll eventually pop up again.
U can get a AP tune and mask the CEL permanently.

tpb7463

iTrader: (1)

Milltek partnered with Pettit Racing to make an exhaust system, I wonder if that's what they meant. They have everything header-back with interchangeable straight pipe and high-flow cat.